Ball State vs Monmouth Prediction 11/28/2025 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Ball State Cardinals and the Monmouth Hawks meet Friday in college basketball action from Kirby Sports Center. Here’s a Ball State vs Monmouth prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Ball State vs Monmouth pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

Ball State Cardinals Betting Preview

The Cardinals started out the season with a couple of solid games but they’ve since faltered in the record column. Ball State took out Louisiana and Mansfield in their first two appearances, but then fell in a blowout to a very good Wisconsin team in game three. The Cards have since dropped two more outings to Little Rock and Indiana State, giving Ball State a 2-3 record across just five games so far this season.

In the Indiana State matchup on Saturday, the Cardinals held a one-point lead at the break. Ball State was outscored 43-24 the rest of the way however, leading to a 70-52 loss in the end. Tops in scoring was Devon Barnes, the only player on the team to finish in double-digits with 14 points, two assists and one rebound. Armoni Zeigler added nine points with three boards and three assists as well.

Monmouth Hawks Betting Preview

Over on the Hawks’ side, they’ve also played just five games so far this season. Monmouth opened up with a victory over Caldwell, but then lost to La Salle and Seton Hall in their next pair. After another loss by five points to Syracuse, the Hawks finally got back into the win column with an overtime finish versus Robert Morris. Through five games so far that gives Monmouth a 2-3 record overall.

Matched up against Robert Morris on Sunday, the Hawks came out of the break with a one-point edge. It took overtime to get there, but Monmouth eventually preserved that margin in a 71-70 victory in the end. Both Stefanos Spartalis (four rebounds) and Justin Ray (three rebounds; three assists) notched 18 points apiece to lead the team. Jason Rivera-Torres doubled up on 16 points with 11 rebounds in 44 minutes of work during the victory as well.

Ball State Cardinals @ Monmouth Hawks Betting Trends: November 28, 2025

Why the Monmouth Hawks will win

• Monmouth has won each of its last five games after coming off overtime.
• Ball State has lost each of its last three games against non-Conference opponents.

Why the Ball State Cardinals will win

• Monmouth has lost five of its last six games played at neutral venues.
• Ball State has won four of its last five day games against non-Conference opponents.

Ball State vs Monmouth Prediction

I’ll probably lean toward Monmouth but this one’s a coin flip. The Hawks eked by Robert Morris this past weekend despite getting out-rebounded 38-36 and outscored in the paint 36-24. Monmouth also shot just 38.2 percent from the field and 5-of-20 (25 percent) from outside. The saving grace was the 24-of-31 (77.4 percent) from the line. The Hawks have scored a combined 144 points in the last pair (buoyed by an overtime game) and they’ll probably need to hit the 70-point mark here as well.

As for Ball State, they shot poorly (33.8 percent) and got outmuscled on the boards 39-30 in the loss to Indiana State. That gives the Cardinals fewer than 63 points in three straight games, with two of those being 55 or fewer. This is a winnable game for Ball State however, so it should be competitive.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Monmouth Hawks -4.5